Flexible touch screen panel and flexible touch screen display device

ABSTRACT

A flexible touch screen panel includes a thin film substrate including a first section and a second section and first sensing electrodes disposed in the first section and the second section, the first sensing electrodes being connected to one another along a first direction. The first sensing electrodes include a first stack structure in the first section and a second stack structure in the second section, the second stack structure being different from the first stack structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/969,489, filed Dec. 15, 2015, and claims priority from and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0048606, filed Apr. 6,2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposesas if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a flexible touch screen panel and aflexible touch screen display device. In particular, exemplaryembodiments relate to a flexible touch screen panel to reduce mechanicalbending stress and a flexible touch screen display device including thesame.

Discussion

Demand exists for flexible touch screen panels that may be attached toor implemented as a single body with a flexible display device. Suchflexible touch screen panels and flexible touch screen display devicesincluding a flexible touch screen panel may be flexible through the useof a flexible thin film substrate versus a thick glass (or metal)substrate.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept,and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the priorart that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skillin the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide a flexible touch screen panel configuredto reduce mechanical bending stress and a flexible touch screen displaydevice to reduce mechanical bending stress.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description whichfollows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may belearned by practice of the inventive concept.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a flexible touch screenpanel includes a thin film substrate including a first section and asecond section and first sensing electrodes disposed in the firstsection and the second section. The flexible touch screen panel alsoincludes the first sensing electrodes being connected to one anotheralong a first direction. The first sensing electrodes include a firststack structure in the first section and a second stack structure in thesecond section, the second stack structure being different from thefirst stack structure.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a flexible touch screendisplay device includes a display pattern layer configured to display animage, a touch screen pattern layer disposed on the display patternlayer, the touch screen pattern layer including an area configured todetect a touch interaction, and a flexible substrate disposed betweenthe display pattern layer and the touch screen pattern layer. The areaincludes a first section comprising a first stack structure and a secondsection disposed outside the first section, the second sectioncomprising a second stack structure. The second stack structure isthicker than the first stack structure.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concept, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible touch screen panel according to oneor more exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible touch screen panel ofFIG. 1 taken along sectional line II-II′ according to one or moreexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible touch screen panel ofFIG. 1 taken along sectional line III-III′ according to one or moreexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible touch screen panel ofFIG. 1 taken along sectional line IV-IV′ according to one or moreexemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are respective plan views illustrating flexibletouch screen panels, according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are respective cross-sectional views offlexible touch screen display devices according to various exemplaryembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however,that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplaryembodiments.

In the accompanying figures, the size and relative sizes of layers,films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity anddescriptive purposes. Also, like reference numerals denote likeelements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,”or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on,connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or interveningelements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer isreferred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no interveningelements or layers present. For the purposes of this disclosure, “atleast one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the groupconsisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only,or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance,XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element,component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termeda second element, component, region, layer, and/or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and,thereby, to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of anapparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to theorientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus inthe drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus maybe otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors usedherein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedexemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such,variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible touch screen panel, according to oneor more exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible touchscreen panel including sensing electrodes coupled in differentdirections. Exemplary embodiments, however, are not limited to sensingelectrodes coupled in different directions. For instance, sensingelectrodes may be coupled in any suitable direction, whether the samedirection or some combination of directions. Furthermore, although FIG.1 illustrates the sensing electrodes being formed in mesh patterns,exemplary embodiments are not limited to sensing electrodes formed inmesh patterns. The sensing electrodes may be implemented in any suitableshape, arrangement, or formation.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flexible touch screen panel includes a thin filmsubstrate 10 (also referred to as a second substrate 10), first sensingelectrodes 20, and second sensing electrodes 30, outer wires 26 and 36,and a pad portion 40. The first sensing electrodes 20 and the secondsensing electrodes 30 may be formed in an active area AA of the thinfilm substrate 10, whereas the outer wires 26 and 36, as well as the padportion 40 may be formed outside the active area AA, such as, in anon-active area NAA of the thin film substrate 10.

The thin film substrate 10 may be implemented as a flexible thin film,such as polyimide (PI) film. However, it is contemplated that anysuitable flexible thin film may be utilized in association withexemplary embodiments described in this application. The active area AAmay sense touch inputs (or “near” touch events such as hovering events)and the non-active area NAA may be located along a peripheral area ofthe active area AA.

The active area AA may be divided into a first section AA1 and a secondsection AA2. The first section AA1 may be designed as a flexible sectionto withstand repeated and intentional bending, folding, rolling,twisting, etc., events. For brevity, the terms “bending,” “folding,”“rolling,” and “twisting” will be referred to collectively as “bending.”A bending axis 1, longitudinally extending in a second direction (i.e.,a substantially vertical direction), may be disposed in the firstsection AA1. Upper and lower portions of the non-active area NAAdisposed in association with the first section AA1 may also be designedas flexible.

A remaining area of the active area AA (i.e., the area excluding thefirst section AA1) may form the second section AA2. The second sectionAA2 may be a non-flexible section (i.e., not designed to withstandrepeated bending events). The non-flexible section may include arelatively hard or rigid section that is incapable of bending orfolding. In other words, the non-flexible section may be relativelyrigid, but at least less flexible than the first section AA1. In thismanner, the first section AA1 may be easily and intentionally flexed,whereas the second section AA2 may be difficult to flex withoutpotentially harming the flexible touch screen panel. Conventional touchscreen panels are not divided into flexible and non-flexible sections.As such, conventional touch screen panels may include first and secondsensing electrodes that are uniformly distributed in an active area.However, the flexible touch screen panel according to one or moreexemplary embodiments includes a flexible section (e.g., at least thefirst section AA1) that is sufficiently flexible to undergo repeated andintentional bending events.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, first coupling portions 24 may beformed in the first section AA1 of the flexible touch screen panel.Thus, the first section AA1 may have a reduced thickness and enhancedflexibility compared to the second section AA2, which includes firstsensing cells 22 and second sensing cells 32.

The first sensing electrodes 20 and the second sensing electrodes 30 maybe disposed in the active area AA to detect touch inputs. The firstsensing electrodes 20 and the second sensing electrodes 30 may bearranged in directions that cross each other. For example, the firstsensing electrodes 20 may be coupled to one another along a firstdirection (i.e., a substantially horizontal) that crosses the firstsection AA1. In this manner, the first sensing electrodes 20 disposed inthe second sections AA2 may be coupled to one another in the firstdirection via the first coupling portions 24 disposed in the firstsection AA1. As shown in FIG. 1, at least some of the first sensingelectrodes 20 may be disposed at a first side (e.g., a left side) of thefirst section AA1 and at least some of the first sensing electrodes 20may be disposed at a second side (e.g., a right side) of the firstsection AA1. In this manner, the first sensing electrodes 20 disposed atopposing sides of the first section AA1 may be connected to one anotherin the first direction via first coupling portions 24 disposed in thefirst section AA1. It is also noted that groups of the first sensingelectrodes 20 may be respectively coupled to the pad portion 40 viacorresponding outer wires 26, which are disposed in the non-active areaNAA. It is contemplated that portions of the outer wires 26 may extendinto the active region AA to couple to a corresponding group of thefirst sending electrodes 20. It is also contemplated that at least someof the first sensing electrodes 20 may include a portion disposed at alateral edge of the active area AA, such that the outer wires 26 remainin the non-active area NAA.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the second sensing electrodes 30are coupled together along a second direction (i.e., a substantiallyvertical direction). The second direction may longitudinally extendparallel to a longitudinal direction of extension of the first sectionAA1. To this end, the second direction crosses the first direction, suchas perpendicularly (or substantially perpendicularly) crosses the firstdirection. Although the first direction is illustrated as a horizontaldirection and the second direction is illustrated as a verticaldirection, the first and second directions may be any direction thatcrosses one another. For example, the first direction and sectiondirection may traverse the thin film substrate 10 in non-horizontal andnon-vertical directions (i.e., diagonally traverse the thin filmsubstrate 10). It is also contemplated that the first and seconddirections may cross one another in a non-perpendicular manner. In otherwords, the first and second directions may be non-orthogonal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first and second sensingelectrodes 20 and 30 are formed in metal pattern including fine metallines. For example, the mesh patterns may be metal mesh patterns. Firstand second sensing electrodes 20 and 30 in mesh patterns utilizing amalleable metal material may improve the flexibility of the flexibletouch screen panel. It is contemplated that any other suitable materialmay be utilized in association with exemplary embodiments. For example,a conductive polymer may be used.

The first sensing electrodes 20 may include first sensing cells 22arranged in lines along the first direction. To this end, first couplingportions 24 may be disposed between and couple adjacent first sensingcells 22 to one another. In this manner, the first coupling portions 24may act as bridges between adjacent first sensing cells 22 arranged on asame line. Further, the first coupling portions 24 may form a singlebody with the first sensing cells 22 via at least one conductive layerforming a portion of the first sensing cells 22. Although the firstcoupling portions 24 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as single fine lines, thefirst coupling portions 24 are not limited to single fine lines. Forinstance, the first coupling portions 24 may be configured as two ormore fine lines, which may be disposed adjacent to one another in a planview or overlap one another.

The second sensing electrodes 30 may include second sensing cells 32arranged in lines along the second direction. In this manner, secondcoupling portions 34 may be disposed between and couple adjacent secondsensing cells 32 to one another. The second coupling portions 34 may actas bridges between adjacent second sensing cells 32 arranged on a sameline. Further, the second coupling portions 34 may form a single bodywith the second sensing cells 32 via at least one conductive layerforming a portion of the second sensing cells 32. Although FIG. 1depicts the second coupling portions 34 as single fine lines, the secondcoupling portions 34 are not necessarily limited to single fine lines.For example, the second coupling portions 34 may be configured as two ormore fine lines, which may be disposed adjacent to one another in a planview or overlap one another.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first and second sensing cells22 and 32 may be formed as multi-layer structures including multipleconductive layers. The first and second coupling portions 24 and 34 maybe formed as single layer structures including a single conductivelayer.

The first coupling portions 24 and the second coupling portions 34 maybe disposed on different layers than one another with an insulatinglayer (e.g., second passivation layer 14) disposed between the firstcoupling portions 24 and the second coupling portions 34. For example,if the first coupling portions 24 are formed as part of a lowerconductive layer, the second coupling portions 34 may be formed as partof an upper conductive layer, or vice versa. The insulating layer (e.g.,second passivation layer 14) may be configured to prevent a shortcircuit.

The first outer wires 26 may couple groups of the first sensingelectrodes 20 to the pad portion 40, whereas the second outer wires 36may couple groups of the second sensing electrodes 30 to the pad portion40. In this manner, the first sensing electrodes 20 and/or the secondsensing electrodes 30 may receive a driving signal from the pad portion40 and/or transmit a sensing signal to the pad portion 40.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first sensing electrodes 20crossing the first section AA1 may have a different cross sectionstructure in the first section AA1 and the second section AA2. In otherwords, the first sensing electrodes 20 crossing the first section AA1may have a different stacking structure in the first section AA1 and thesecond section AA2.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first sensing cells 22 aredistributed only in the second section AA2. Only the first couplingportions 24 may be disposed in the first section AA1 such that each ofthe first sensing electrodes 20 is not disconnected in the first sectionAA1.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first sensing electrodes 20include first sensing cells 22 distributed only in the second sectionAA2 and first coupling portions 24 coupling the first sensing cells 22along the first direction and distributed in the first section AA1 andthe second section AA2.

Here, the first sensing electrodes 20 may be implemented as a singlelayer structure including only one conductive layer in the first sectionAA1 and as a multi-layer structure including at least two conductivelayers in the second section AA2.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the second sensing electrodes 30are disposed in the second section AA2 (i.e., the section of the activearea AA that excludes the first section AA1).

More specifically, the second sensing electrodes 30 may include secondsensing cells 32 distributed in the second section AA2 and secondcoupling portions 34 coupling the second sensing cells 32 along thesecond direction and distributed in the second section AA2.

The cross section structure of the first and second sensing electrodes20 and 30 will be described in detail below.

As described above, in one or more exemplary embodiments, only firstcoupling portions 24 cross the first section AA1 because the firstsection AA1 is designed as a flexible section and the first couplingportions connect first sensing electrodes 20. The first and secondsensing cells 22 and 32 and the second coupling portions 34 may bepartially removed from the first section AA1 to help achieve flexibilityin the first section.

Accordingly, the first section AA1 may be thinner than the secondsection AA2 improving the flexibility of the first section AA1 as wellas reducing the mechanical bending stress of the first section.

Touch input in the active area AA may deteriorate if the width of thefirst section is too wide. Thus, a width of the first section AA1 may bedesigned to be sufficiently narrow to prevent touch input deterioration.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along sectional line II-II′ shown inFIG. 1. A cross section of first sensing cells 22 and a cross section ofa second coupling portion 34 crossing section line II-II′ may be shownfrom the cross sectional view in FIG. 2. While only one second couplingportion 34 is shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 1 shows multiple second couplingportions 34 are disposed in the active area AA. Thus, the secondcoupling portion 34 is referred as being multiple second couplingportions 34 when describing FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first sensing cells 22 may have a multi-layerstructure including multiple conductive layers, and the second couplingportions 34 may have a single layer structure including one conductivelayer.

More specifically, a first passivation layer 12 may be disposed on athin film substrate 10, and the first sensing cells 22 may be disposedon the first passivation layer 12.

The first sensing cells 22 may include a first conductive layer 22 adisposed on the first passivation layer 12 and a second conductive layer22 b disposed on the first conductive layer 22 a with a secondpassivation layer 14 interposed between the first conductive layer 22 aand the second conductive layer 22 b. The second passivation layer 14may function as an insulating layer.

As one or more exemplary embodiments, the first and second conductivelayers 22 a and 22 b are formed of metal layer and may be patterned in amesh pattern as shown in FIG. 1.

The first and second conductive layers 22 a and 22 b may be electricallycoupled through a third conductive layer 22 c resulting in a reducedresistance of the first sensing electrodes 20. For example, a contacthole 14 a may be formed in a second passivation layer 14 for electricalcoupling between the first and second conductive layers 22 a and 22 b,and a third conductive layer 22 c may be disposed in the contact hole 14a.

The third conductive layer 22 c may be concurrently formed in the samemask process as the second conductive layer 22 b. Alternatively, thethird conductive layer 22 c may be formed in a separate mask processprior to the process of forming the second conductive layer 22 b. Forexample, the contact hole 14 a is formed by etching the secondpassivation layer 14. Next, the second conductive layer 22 b may beformed concurrently while filling the contact hole 14 a with a thirdconductive layer 22 c that will be coupled to the second conductivelayer 22 b. Thus, the third conductive layer 22 c may be formed in asingle body. As an alternative example, the contact hole 14 a is formedby etching the second passivation layer 14. However, the thirdconductive layer 22 c may be disposed to fill the contact hole 14 afollowed by forming the second conductive layer 22 b on the thirdconductive layer 22 c. As one or more exemplary embodiments, the thirdconductive layer 22 c includes a metal layer and is formed in a singlebody with or formed separately from the second conductive layer 22 b.The first sensing cells 22 having multi-layer structure may be formed bythe first and second conductive layers 22 a and 22 b being electricallycoupled to each other by the third conductive layer 22 c.

The second coupling portions 34 may have a single layer structureimplemented with the first conductive layer 22 a or the secondconductive layer 22 b. For example, the second coupling portions 34 havea single layer structure implemented with the second conductive layer 22b of an upper portion of the second passivation layer 14 as shown inFIG. 2.

A third passivation layer 16 may be disposed on upper portions of thefirst sensing cells 22 and the second coupling portions 34.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible touch screen panel ofFIG. 1 taken along sectional line III-III′ according to one or moreexemplary embodiments. A cross section of second sensing cells 32 and across section of first coupling portion 24 crossing section lineIII-III′ may be observed from the cross sectional view of FIG. 3. Whendescribing FIG. 3, similar features as FIG. 2 will be omitted to avoidobscuring exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. While only one firstcoupling portion 24 is shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 1 shows multiple firstcoupling portions 24 are disposed in the active area AA. Thus, the firstcoupling portion 24 is referred to as first coupling portions 24 whendescribing FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second sensing cells 32 may have a multi-layerstructure including a first conductive layer 32 a, a second conductivelayer 32 b, and a third conductive layer 32 c. The first couplingportions 24 may have a single layer structure including one conductivelayer.

The first conductive layer 32 a, the second conductive layer 32 b, andthe third conductive layer 32 c in FIG. 3 may be conductive layersdisposed in the same layers as the first conductive layer 22 a, thesecond conductive layer 22 b, and the third conductive layer 22 c,respectively, in FIG. 2.

The second sensing cells 32 may be alternately disposed to not overlapthe first sensing cells 22 as shown in FIG. 1. Since a cross sectionstructure of the second sensing cells 32 may be substantially the sameas a cross section structure of the first sensing cells 22 as previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 2, details of the cross sectionstructure of the second sensing cells 32 will be omitted to avoidobscuring exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The first coupling portions 24 may have single layer structureimplemented with first conductive layers 22 a and 32 a or secondconductive layers 22 b and 32 b as the second coupling portions 34 shownin FIG. 2.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, since the first coupling portions 24 andthe second coupling portions 34 may be alternately disposed, the firstcoupling portions 24 and the second coupling portions 34 may be disposedon different layers with at least a second passivation layer 14interposed between the first coupling portions 24 and the secondcoupling portions 34 in order to prevent short circuiting between thefirst and second sensing electrodes 20 and 30.

For example, if the second coupling portions 34 have a single layerstructure implemented with the second conductive layer 22 b of an upperportion of the second passivation layer 14 as shown in FIG. 2, the firstcoupling portions 24 may have single layer structure implemented withthe first conductive layer 32 a of an upper portion of the firstpassivation layer 12 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along sectional line IV-IV′ shown inFIG. 1, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. When describingFIG. 4, details on the similar features as FIGS. 2 and 3 will be omittedto avoid obscuring exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, first sensing electrodes 20 may be implemented tohave a single layer structure in a first section AA1 and multi-layerstructure in a second section AA2.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, while only a single layerstructure is needed for the first coupling portions 24 formed in thefirst section AA1, first and second sensing cells 22 and 32 and firstand second coupling portions 24 and 34 are formed in the section AA2creating the need for a multi-layer structure.

Accordingly, the first sensing electrodes 20 may be implemented to havesingle layer structure in the first section AA1 and a multi-layerstructure in the section AA2. In other words, the multi-layer structureis in an area where the first sensing cells 22 are formed. Also, thefirst sensing electrodes 20 may partially be implemented to have asingle layer structure area portion of the second section AA2 (i.e., inan area where the first coupling portions 24 are formed).

In one or more exemplary embodiments, at least one layer among first,second, and third passivation layers 12, 14, and 16 is formed of aninorganic layer having a sufficient thickness to previous shortcircuiting of the various components of the device. At least one of thefirst, second, and third passivation layers 12, 14, and 16 may bepartially removed from the first section AA1.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the first, second, and thirdpassivation layers 12, 14, and 16 may be removed from the first sectionAA1. In this manner, the stacking structure and thickness of the firstsection AA1 may be minimized (or at least reduced). Thus, the mechanicalbending stress may be reduced in the first section AA1 by approximately10%.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are respective plan views illustrating flexibletouch screen panels according to various exemplary embodiments. Whendescribing FIGS. 5 to 8, details on similar features as FIG. 1 will beomitted to avoid obscuring exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 5, the active area AA may include multiple firstsections. The first sections AA1 may be disposed in substantiallyperpendicular directions. Although only two first sections AA1 areillustrated in FIG. 5 for clarity, exemplary embodiments may include anynumber of first sections AA1 such as three first sections AA1, fourfirst sections AA1, or ten first sections AA1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the active area AA may include a first section AA1disposed in a different direction. For example, the first section AA1 isdisposed in a horizontal direction (or substantially horizontaldirection) as opposed to the vertical direction (or substantiallyvertical direction) shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the firstsection AA1 may be parallel to a first direction which is the samedirection that the first sensing electrodes 20 are coupled. In thiscase, because the second sensing electrodes 30 need to be coupled in asecond direction by crossing the first section AA1, only second couplingportions 34, instead of first coupling portions 24, may be formed in thefirst section AA1. The first and second sensing cells 22 and 32 and thefirst coupling portions 24 may be removed from the first section AA1. Inthis case, a preset bending axis 2 may be disposed along a firstdirection in the first section AA1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the active area AA may include multiple firstsections AA1 disposed in a first direction (i.e., substantiallyhorizontal direction). Referring to FIG. 8, the active area AA mayinclude first sections AA1 disposed in two directions crossing eachother. For example, the first sections AA1 may be disposed such that atleast two first sections AA are substantially perpendicular to oneanother. When the active area AA includes first sections AA disposed intwo directions, the flexible touch screen panel may bend or fold thecorresponding two directions. Although only one or two first sectionsare illustrated and the first sections AA1 are shown only arranged insubstantially vertical or horizontal directions, the number, arrangementdirection, or position of the first sections AA1 may vary. As a notlimiting example, the active area AA may include two first sections AA1that are not parallel or orthogonal to one another.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible touch screendisplay device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. FIG. 9illustrates a flexible touch screen display device having a flexibletouch screen panel shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in a single body. FIG. 9 usesthe same reference numerals similar features in FIG. 4. For brevity,similar features will be omitted to avoid obscuring exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flexible touch screen display device may includea first substrate 110, and a second substrate 10 facing the firstsubstrate 110, a display pattern layer (labeled as “Display” in FIG. 9)formed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 10, anda touch screen pattern layer TSP formed on the second substrate 10.

To increase the flexibility of the touch screen display device, thefirst substrate 110 and the second substrate 10 may be thin filmsubstrates.

The display pattern layer and the touch screen pattern layer TSP may beformed in an active area AA configured to display images as well assensing touch input.

The display pattern layer may be a pixel layer of an organic lightemitting diode display device. In this case, the display pattern layermay include a first pixel electrode layer 122 (e.g., a anode electrode)disposed on the first substrate 110, an emission layer 124 disposed onthe first pixel electrode layer 122, and a second pixel electrode layer126 (e.g., a cathode electrode) disposed on the emission layer 124. Forclarity, FIG. 9 does not illustrate the first pixel electrode layer 122,the emission layer 124, and the second pixel electrode layer 126 asbeing patterned. However, at least one of the first pixel electrodelayer 122, the emission layer 124, and the second pixel electrode layer126 may be patterned to correspond to emission area of each pixel.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, a capping layer 150, is furtherdisposed between the second pixel electrode layer 126 and the secondsubstrate 10. Although not illustrated, a pixel circuit part having athin film transistor, may be disposed between the first substrate 110and the first pixel electrode layer 122.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the second substrate 10 is a thinfilm encapsulation substrate. A touch screen display device may haveimproved flexibility and reduced thickness if the second substrate 10 isimplemented as a thin film encapsulation substrate.

The touch screen pattern layer TSP may be directly disposed on thesecond substrate 10. More specifically, the second substrate 10 used asan upper substrate of the display panel may be used as a base substrateof the touch screen panel. In this case, the flexible touch screendisplay device may be implemented in a single body with the flexibletouch screen panel. Implementing a touch screen display device as asingle body touch screen panel may reduce the overall thickness of thedevice. The touch screen pattern layer TSP may be formed in the activearea AA on the second substrate 10. As shown in FIG. 1, such touchscreen pattern layer TSP may include first and second sensing electrodes20 and 30 coupled in directions that cross each other.

In one or more exemplary embodiments only first coupling portions 24 aredisposed in the first section. The first sensing cells 22, the firstcoupling portions 24, the second sensing cells 32, and the secondcoupling portions 34 may be disposed in the second section AA2. Morespecifically, the second sensing electrodes 30 may be disposed outsidethe first section AA1.

The flexible touch screen display device may have different stackstructures in the first section AA1 and the second section AA2. Morespecifically, the first section AA1 may be designed to include only aportion of multi-layer films among multi-layer films forming stackstructure of the second section AA2. For example, the display patternlayer may be disposed in both the first and second sections AA1 and AA2,but the touch screen pattern layer TSP may have different stackstructures in the first section AA1 and the second section AA2.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first sensing electrodes 20that cross the first section AA1 may have different stack structures inthe first section AA1 and the second section AA2 as described withreference to FIG. 4. For example, the first sensing electrodes 20 may beimplemented to have a single layer structure where only the couplingportions 24 are arranged in the first section AA1 and to havemulti-layer structure forming sensing cells 22 in the second sectionAA2.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the second sensing electrodes 30are partially removed from the first section AA1. In one or moreexemplary embodiments, a polarizing plate 160 may be further included onan upper portion of the touch screen pattern layer TSP.

As described above, the flexible touch screen display device may havedifferent stack structures in the first section AA1 and the secondsection AA2. More specifically, only a portion of multi-layer filmsamong the multi-layer films formed in the second section AA2 may beformed in the first section AA1. Accordingly, the stack structure of thefirst section AA1 is simplified, thereby reducing the thickness of thefirst section AA1 and the mechanical bending stress.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are cross-sectional views illustrating flexibletouch screen display devices according to various exemplary embodiments.When describing FIGS. 10 to 13, similar features of FIG. 9 will beomitted to avoid obscuring exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 10, a polarizing plate 160 may be formed to have adifferent thickness in a first section AA1 than in a second section AA2.More specifically, a thickness D1 of the polarizing plate 160 in thefirst section AA1 may be smaller than a thickness D2 of the polarizingplate 160 in the second section AA2. By reducing the thickness of thefirst section AA1, mechanical bending stress in the first section AA1may be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the flexible touch screen display devicemay further include upper and/or lower protective films 170 and 180included on an upper portion of the touch screen pattern layer TSPand/or a lower portion of the first substrate 110.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the upper and/or lower protectivefilms 170 and 180 are partially removed from the first section AA1. Morespecifically, the upper and/or lower protective films 170 and 180 mayinclude an open area disposed in the first section AA1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an open area may be included in theupper protective film 170. In other words, FIG. 11 shows the upperprotective film 170 may be removed from first section AA1 or notdisposed in the first section AA1 but may be disposed in the secondsection AA2. However, FIG. 11 shows the lower protective film 180 maynot be removed from the first section AA1. FIG. 12 illustrates that anopen area may be included in the lower protective film 180 as the lowerprotective film 180 is removed from the first section AA1 or notdisposed in the first section AA1, but may be disposed in the secondsection AA2. However, FIG. 12 shows that the upper protective film 170may not be removed from the first section AA1.

As shown in FIG. 13, an open area may be included in the upper and lowerprotective films 170 and 180 as the upper and lower protective films 170and 180 are removed from the first section AA1 or not disposed in thefirst section AA1 but may be disposed in the second section AA2.

Even in the case of including the upper and/or lower protective films170 and 180, as the upper and/or lower protective films 170 and 180 arepartially removed from the first section AA1, stack structure of thefirst section AA1 may be simplified and thickness may be reduced.Accordingly, the mechanical bending stress may be reduced in the firstsection AA1.

By way of summation and review, a touch screen panel and a touch screendisplay device may include multiple electrode and passivation layers.Thus, there may be a limit as to how much a thickness of the touchscreen panel and the touch screen display device can be minimized. Assuch, it may be difficult to create a touch screen display device or atouch screen panel that has sufficient flexibility. In addition, theflexible touch screen panel and the flexible touch screen display devicetypically suffer from large amounts of mechanical bending stress whenthe flexible touch screen panel and the flexible touch screen displaydevice are deformed.

A flexible touch screen panel and a flexible touch screen display deviceaccording to one or more exemplary embodiments have different stackstructures in the first section AA1 than the second section AA2 of theactive area AA. More specifically, only a portion of multi-layer filmsamong the multi-layer films disposed in the second section AA2 may bedisposed in the first section AA1. Accordingly, the stack structure ofthe first section AA1 is simplified with a reduced thickness, therebyreducing mechanical bending stress and increasing the flexibility of thedevice. Exemplary embodiments discussed above include the flexible touchscreen panel and the flexible touch screen display device with the firstsection AA1 designed to be flexible, thereby reducing mechanical bendingstress.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limitedto such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presentedclaims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible touch screen panel, comprising: afirst section; a second section arranged at a first side of the firstsection; a third section arranged at a second side of the first section;and a first sensing electrode extending along the first direction andpassing through the first, second, and third sections, the first sensingelectrode comprising: first sensing cells arranged along the firstdirection in the second and third sections, each of the first sensingcells being in a multi-layered structure, the multi-layered structurecomprising: a first conductive layer; a second conductive layeroverlapping the first conductive layer; and a third conductive layerdisposed between the first and second conductive layers to one another;and first coupling portions arranged along the first direction in thefirst, second, and third sections, at least one of first couplingportions being in the first section and connecting ones of the firstsensing cells respectively disposing in the second and third sections toone another, wherein the at least one of the first coupling portions inthe first section comprises a conductive layer disposed in a same layeras at least one of conductive layers in the second and third sections.2. The flexible touch screen panel of claim 1, wherein the first sensingcells are disposed only in the second and third sections among thefirst, second, and third sections.
 3. The flexible touch screen panel ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first coupling portions is in asingle-layered structure.
 4. The flexible touch screen panel of claim 3,further comprising: an insulating layer disposed between the first andsecond conductive layers, wherein the conductive layer of each of thefirst coupling portions is disposed under the insulating layer so as tobe in a same layer as the first conductive layer of each of the firstsensing cells.
 5. The flexible touch screen panel of claim 3, furthercomprising: an insulating layer disposed between the first and secondconductive layers, wherein the conductive layer of each of the firstcoupling portions is disposed on the insulating layer so as to be in asame layer as the second conductive layer of each of the first sensingcells.
 6. The flexible touch screen panel of claim 1, furthercomprising: an insulating layer disposed between the first and secondconductive layers, the insulating layer comprising contact holes in thesecond and third sections, wherein the third conductive layer of each ofthe first sensing cells is in one of the contact holes.
 7. The flexibletouch screen panel of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: athin film substrate on which the first sensing cells and the firstcoupling portions are disposed; and at least one passivation layereither disposed between the thin film substrate and the first sensingelectrode or disposed on the first sensing electrode.
 8. The flexibletouch screen panel of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first sectionis less than a thickness of each of the second and third sections. 9.The flexible touch screen panel of claim 1, further comprising: a secondsensing electrode crossing the first sensing electrode, the secondsensing electrode comprising: second sensing cells arranged in thesecond or third section along a second direction crossing the firstdirection; and second coupling portions arranged in the second or thirdsection along the second direction, the second coupling portionsconnecting the second sensing cells in the second direction.
 10. Theflexible touch screen panel of claim 9, wherein: other ones of the firstcoupling portions are respectively disposed in the second or thirdsection; and at least some of the other ones of the first couplingportions respectively cross one of the second coupling portions in thesecond or third section.
 11. The flexible touch screen panel of claim 9,wherein: the second sensing cells have a same stack structure as thefirst sensing cells; and each of the second coupling portions comprisesa conductive layer disposed in a different layer from the conductivelayer of each of the first coupling portions.
 12. The flexible touchscreen panel of claim 1, wherein the first section comprises a bendingaxis crossing the first direction.
 13. The flexible touch screen panelof claim 1, further comprising: an additional first section, wherein thesecond or third section is disposed between the first section and theadditional first section.
 14. A flexible touch screen display device,comprising: a first section; a second section arranged at a first sideof the first section; a third section arranged at a second side of thefirst section; a display pattern layer in the first, second, and thirdsections; a touch screen pattern layer in the first, second, and thirdsections, the touch screen pattern layer overlapping the display patternlayer, the touch screen pattern layer comprising a first sensingelectrode extending along a first direction and passing through thefirst, second, and third sections; and a flexible substrate disposedbetween the display pattern layer and the touch screen pattern layer,wherein the first sensing electrode comprises: first sensing cellsarranged along the first direction in the second and third sections,each of the first sensing cells being in a multi-layered structure, themulti-layered structure comprising: a first conductive layer; a secondconductive layer overlapping the first conductive layer; and a thirdconductive layer disposed between the first and second conductive layersto connect the first and second conductive layers to one another; andfirst coupling portions arranged along the first direction in the first,second, and third sections, at least one of the first coupling portionsbeing in the first section and connecting ones of the first sensingcells respectively disposed in the second and third sections to oneanother, and wherein the at least one of the first coupling portions inthe first section comprises a conductive layer disposed in a same layeras at least one of conductive layers in the second and third sections.15. The flexible touch screen display device of claim 14, wherein thefirst sensing cells are disposed only in the second and third sectionsamong the first, second, and third sections.
 16. The flexible touchscreen display device of claim 14, wherein each of the first couplingportions is in a single-layered structure.
 17. The flexible touch screendisplay device of claim 16, further comprising: an insulating layerdisposed between the first and second conductive layers, wherein theconductive layer of each of the first coupling portions is disposedunder the insulating layer so as to be in a same layer as the firstconductive layer of each of the first sensing cells.
 18. The flexibletouch screen display device of claim 16, further comprising: aninsulating layer disposed between the first and second conductivelayers, wherein the conductive layer of each of the first couplingportions is disposed on the insulating layer so as to be in a same layeras the second conductive layer of each of the first sensing cells. 19.The flexible touch screen display device of claim 14, furthercomprising: a polarizing layer disposed on the touch screen patternlayer, wherein a second thickness of the polarizing layer in the secondand third sections is greater than a first thickness of the polarizinglayer in the first section.
 20. The flexible touch screen display deviceof claim 14, further comprising: at least one protective film disposedon the touch screen pattern layer or on one side of the display patternlayer opposing the touch screen pattern layer, wherein the at least oneprotective film comprises an opening in the first section.